Yellow Gold Bracelet Discoloration: Causes & Restoration

Question

Braclet   Hello
I purchased a bracelet a few years ago from a very reputable jeweler for $1000 that is yellow gold with 36 pts of diamonds. I have kept this its box. I haven't wore it for a long time but when i went to it has discolored and i am hoping you can tell me if this can be cleaned off or fixed, and why this has happened. This piece has not been in contact with chemicals.
Thank you

Answer
Hi, Sara. Thanks for getting in touch.

Thank you very much for the photo.  When you said discolored I would not have imagined the extent of the discoloration without the picture. In the least, this is extreme and not a normal discoloration I generally see from items in long storage.

By chance is the bracelet marked 9ct? (We use kt instead of ct in the USA.) The reason I ask is because 9ct is more likely to tarnish or discolor than higher karats of gold. And, the greenish discoloration bothers me because that is not normally associated with gold items. (Quite honestly, determining color from one photo to one computer monitor to another may be different and the green may not be so green as I see it.)If the store where purchased is close to you, I would get down there and ask them to explain, certainly considering the bracelet was in the original box.  There has definitely been exposure to chemicals which would have been air borne or leaching from the material of the box. Gold in storage will develop a yellowish tarnish making the item look darker but the other colors are quite unusual and almost surely result from some type of exposure while inside the box.

The colored surface is likely only a thin surface reaction and in that case a jeweler will be able to buff the surface to restore the original luster. Gold jewelry may discolor but the surface is not etched or deeply damaged.  A gentle professional buffing is needed, however, considering the large extent of discoloration.  Also, a jeweler needs to see the bracelet fist hand to put forth any reasons for this extreme discoloration.


Sara, best wishes in all. God Bless and Peace.   Thomas.